Mobile route monitoring unit

ABSTRACT

A mobile route monitoring unit including a data store, which stores predefined route data, a position sensor, which determines the position of the mobile route monitoring unit, a processor, which determines possible deviations from a route defined by the route data, a permissible route, and the actual position of the unit and a transmitter, which in the event of a deviation from the route sends a signal to a center. The above-mentioned elements form a mobile unit that enables self-sufficient route monitoring to be performed, which can accordingly occur locally, i.e., executed by the mobile route monitoring unit. The necessity of transmitting cost incurring signals at regular intervals becomes superfluous. Non-permissible route deviations are rapidly determined and are securely communicated by sending a signal to the center. The utilization of a permissible and defined region instead of the route is also realized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a mobile route-monitoring unit, to be used inparticular in a truck.

2. Discussion of the Background

Every shipping company is faced with the problem of comparing thecurrent location of its trucks and their cargoes with a planned routeand schedule. The foregoing is necessary to identify any tardiness ortheft/seizure as early as possible.

Previously, this problem was successfully solved by a transmission unitinstalled in the truck sending current location information to thecontrol room at certain time or distance intervals determined by a GPSreceiver or a gyrosensor. The previous method for transmittinginformation was using a mobile phone network Short Message Service,because the costs of sending messages via SMS are substantially lowerthan voice mobile communications. The position message was processed atthe control room and compared with the planned route and time data,which in the event of a route deviation set off an alarm.

Frequently, an “authorized area” system is used to define a routedeviation; in this system the planned route is represented as a seriesof consecutive ellipses, which cover the planned route plus minorlateral deviations. Staying outside the “authorized” consecutiveellipses is considered a route deviation. An example of this type ofroute representation is shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 shows a route 1 and a number of ellipses 10 which cover the routeand taken together establish an ample “authorized route corridor.”Typically, the traveled route is measured using an odometer in the truckand a position message is sent to the control room via SMS service, forexample every 10 km. Such messages are represented in the figure bymessage points 9A, 9B and 9C.

This type of system has many disadvantages. For example, the truck hasto send confirmation signals at regular intervals, which results in highcosts. This is especially true for foreign travel, because SMS messagescost significantly more abroad than domestically. That explains why theintervals between confirmation signals tend to be large. Which in turnleads to a substantial increase in the size of the probable location atany given moment. This problem is also shown schematically in FIG. 3:Circle 11. Circle 11 has a radius r, of, for example, 10 km, at messagepoint 9B. The shaded area of Circle 11 therefore represents the“unauthorized” area in which a vehicle can be located which is movingalong the route on schedule at message point 9B. In general, a routerepresentation using “authorized” elliptical areas produces an unevenroute corridor that allows and/or prohibits widely divergent deviations.In FIG. 3, for example, the authorized deviation A from message point 9Ato the west (in FIG. 3 north is indicated using the usual cartographicconvention) is substantially smaller than the authorized deviation Bfrom message point 8A to the east.

The fact that SMS service is currently available in about only 40% ofEurope results in an additional, considerable limitation to thepossibility of monitoring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the purpose of the invention is to avoid the abovementioneddisadvantages of the current technology and to achieve the advantagesdescribed below.

To meet these objectives, the invention provides a mobileroute-monitoring unit.

The invention comprises four essential components, which together form amobile route-monitoring unit:

-   -   a data memory, which stores the preset route data;    -   a position sensor which determines the position of the mobile        route monitoring unit;    -   a processor which determines any route deviations between the        route defined by the route data and the unit's actual position;        and    -   a transmitter, which sends a message to the control room in the        event of a route deviation.

Although the components of the invention form a unit, this does not haveto exist in a physical sense. The components of the invention can, ifnecessary, also exist as separate modules connected electronically tothe unit. Preferably, the mobile route monitoring unit is attached, ifnecessary in a non-detachable manner, to or in a carrier whose positionis to be monitored, for example a truck, a container, an airplane, ship,etc.

Combining the above components into a mobile route-monitoring unit makespossible autonomous route monitoring, which can be performed on site,i.e. on the carrier. The above eliminates the need to transmitcost-generating signals at regular intervals. However, a route deviationwill be determined quickly, and securely reported to the control room bytransmitting a signal.

Since signals do not have to be transmitted at regular intervals, it ispossible to use a transmitter when transmission costs are of lesserimportance and transmission quality and/or availability are of greaterimportance. Such a transmitter (optionally using a matching receiver,despite the fact that the following will mention only a “transmitter,”as the specialist will be able to tell the difference) can also performother communications services between the carrier of the mobile unitand/or a person or device assigned to this carrier (for example: driver,captain, motor or control device) and the control room or to anotherlocation. For example, as needed, a voice channel can be establishedbetween a driver or cab and a control room via the transmitter. In theevent of a conspicuous route deviation, the above could be used toinitiate an acoustic monitoring of the cab without being heard in thecab. Similarly, a text message could be sent between a driver and acontrol room using a keyboard or display in conjunction with thetransmitter. Also, visual and operating data and/or information could beexchanged using the transmitter. That way control commands could bereceived which are meant for the mobile route monitoring unit, thecarrier or a device assigned to the carrier. For example, in the eventof theft or seizure of the vehicle, a control command to the vehicleelectronics could be used to disable the vehicle. A control command tothe mobile route-monitoring unit could be used to update the route datastored in the data memory.

Preferably, the processing of the route data from the planned route isperformed by an external device using a physically or electronicallystored map or chart, for example in a PC located at the control room.The route data could then be used according to methods known tospecialists to, for example, transmit to the data memory of theroute-monitoring unit via modem, line-of-sight radio, transmitter, orcable. In this instance, specialists weigh convenience, availability andinvestment costs. A cable connection is cost effective and can be set upin many locations. For example, a radio link enables easy data transfer.However, to update route data, the route monitoring unit according tothe invention could also contain a reader to read a portable storagemedium, such as a CD, a floppy disk or a memory card, etc., on which theroute data is stored.

It is, however, also the purpose of the invention that route data can becalled up or processed or calculated in the unit, for example usingdeparture or arrival data which can be entered by keyboard or otherentry device. Such an application is useful in particular where theroute repeatedly traverses given sections or parts of sections. Routedata can be updated at any time, though this is done preferably when thecarrier of the route-monitoring unit is at a loading yard. If necessary,data can be updated by a limited range modem with a frequency and powerthat does not require a separate license.

According to the invention, the route-monitoring unit also comprises aposition sensor which determines the route monitoring unit's currentposition. Preferably, a GPS receiver is used as a position sensor,although other position indicating arrangements known to specialists canalso fulfill this purpose, such as a wheel, acceleration or gyrosensorevaluation or similar method. It can also be advantageous to indicatethe route monitoring unit's position using a redundant system consistingof a number of position determining devices and in which the results ofthe position determining devices can be matched, if necessary, toincrease directional precision.

The route-monitoring unit according to the invention stores route datain the provided data memory. The route data reproduce the planned,released route [or route course] in such a way that this can be comparedwith the position data generated by the position sensor. These positiondata reflect the current position of the route-monitoring unit, whichmay be mounted on a carrier. The comparison in the route-monitoring unitis made by a processor provided for that purpose.

Preferably, the route is represented as a sequence of consecutivecoordination points and associated vectors. Accordingly, the route dataconsists of pairs of vector data and coordinate data, whereby thecoordinate data can be the same as or similar to those of a GPS. FIG. 2shows this kind of route representation. It is advantageous to place thecoordinate points close together to insure precise route reproductionand therefore rapid recognition of any deviation. However, to match theroute the coordination points can use different spacing. In the vectorrepresentation of the route according to the invention the coordinatepoints of straight sections can be placed further apart than those incurved sections without negatively impacting the precision of sectionreproduction. By thus reducing the amount of route data the routemonitoring unit's data memory can be utilized in an optimum fashion.

Typically, a deviation from the route is measured vertically from thenext route vector or, if necessary, as radius from the next routecoordinate. The allowable deviation can be either a fixed value ordependant on the route section or the route. In the event of a routetolerance varying depending on the route section, preferably selectedroute data will be stored along with tolerance data which define theallowable deviation of the route section. Thus, for example, the routetolerance can be increased in a curved section to reduce the number ofcoordinate points needed to represent a route/section.

Integrating a timer device into the route monitoring unit according tothe invention allows monitoring of compliance with the route by spatialbut also by time criteria. Specifically, time information can be storedwith the route data, which indicates the earliest and/or latest timeswhen given coordinate points should be reached. The data from the timerdevice can also be used to identify the speed of the route-monitoringunit. Such measures can be used to ensure, for example, that a deliveryschedule is kept without violating laws concerning speed, stops, etc.Breakdowns and improper stops can also be determined this way.

The invention can also so be produced as a system, which in addition tothe route-monitoring unit described above comprises additionalcomponents physically separate from the route-monitoring unit.

For example, such a system can comprise the abovementioned externalapparatus to input and process route data or a receiver assigned to thetransmitter or receiver/transmitter device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An application of the invention is described below in greater detailusing drawings:

FIG. 1 A route monitoring unit according to a first application;

FIG. 2 Route monitoring according to a preferred application of theinvention;

FIG. 3 Route monitoring according to the current state of the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a route monitoring unit according to the invention 2 with astorage unit 6, a position sensor 3, a processor 5 and a transmitter 4,which can, if desired, send data to a control room 7. According to thefirst application, the position of the route-monitoring unit isdetermined by a GPS receiver as the position sensor 3; route data isstored in a RAM 6 and processed in a CPU 5. According to the firstapplication, the route-monitoring unit 2 is installed in the cab of atruck 8.

According to a preferred application of the invention, a planned route 1is reproduced by vector data, which are stored as route data in storageunit 6 of the route-monitoring unit. As represented schematically inFIG. 2, the individual vectors which are shown graphically in FIG. 2 asa point and an arrow can be stored or configured consecutively to definea route simulation 1′ of the actually planned route 1. The points of theaforementioned coordination points and the arrows represent therespectively associated vectors.

Above all, the simulation of route 1 within route monitoring unit 2 hasthe advantage of being able to frequently or constantly check thecurrent position of route monitoring unit 2 and/or its carrier 8 withoutentailing high communications costs. The foregoing makes it possible tokeep route monitoring unit 2 from leaving a narrowly authorized routecorridor 12 around route simulation 1′ without such a deviation from theplanned route 1 being recognized quickly.

Typically, the authorized route corridor 12 extends from the beginningof the route to the indicated route end. However, the authorized routecorridor can be limited to a selectively calculated route section. Anadditional temporal limitation of the authorized location of routemonitoring unit 2, as described above, can result in the authorizedroute corridor 12 being dynamically cut in length. That means that thelength of the authorized route corridor 12 is dynamically updated usingthe stored route time information and/or the currently or previouslymeasured position data of route monitoring unit 2, and thereby limitedto a given current route section.

The GPS receiver 3 determines the position of route monitoring unit 2and/or the position of the carrier 8 carrying route monitoring unit 2.The position information thus acquired is processed in CPU 5 and/orcompared with a route simulation 1′ of the planned route 1 produced fromroute data stored in storage unit 6. If necessary, the spatial check ofroute compliance is supplemented, as described above, with a routecompliance check based on temporal standards. If an unauthorized routedeviation is found by route monitoring unit 2, an appropriate messagewill be sent to the control room 7. Preferably, this message is sent viathe voice channel of the GSM network, i.e. the global system for mobilecommunications, an international mobile telephone and data network.

It is further advantageous to equip the route-monitoring unit with areceiver which also uses the GSM network to be able to set up aninteractive voice channel between the cab and the control room.

Preferably, the route monitoring unit also comprises a 433 MHz modem asdata reception device which can be used to load current route data fromthe transmitters or data processing apparatus in the respective loadingyards to storage unit 6.

The applications and utilization methods given as examples in theDescription are merely intended to provide examples of what thespecialist understands or could understand as equivalent in therespective context, and which under given circumstances he could use inplace of the enumerated examples. Such equivalents are thus as much apart of the invention as the explicitly enumerated, incomplete examples.

1. Mobile route monitoring unit comprising: a data memory configured tostore route data with tolerance data; a position sensor configured toindicate a position of the mobile route-monitoring unit; a processorconfigured to indicate possible route deviations between a route definedby the route data and a current position of the route monitoring unit;and a transmitter, which in an event of a route deviation, is configuredto send a message to a control unit; wherein the route data representsthe route in a form of coordinates and assigned route vectors, and thetolerance data exists as authorized deviation values in a verticaldirection of a next route vector, whereby a length of the route vectorsand the authorized deviation values for all route vectors can beselected depending on the route and can be adjusted to the route. 2.Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 1, wherein thetransmitter communicates by a GSM network voice channel.
 3. Mobile routemonitoring unit according to claim 1, further comprising a datareception device to receive preset route data.
 4. Mobile routemonitoring unit according to claim 3, wherein the data reception deviceincludes a reader configured to read data from a changeable storagemedium.
 5. Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 3, whereinthe data reception device includes a receiver configured to communicateby a voice channel of a GSM network.
 6. Mobile route monitoring unitaccording to claim 1, further comprising an input to receive presetroute data.
 7. Mobile route monitoring unit according to claim 1,wherein the position sensor includes a GPS receiver.
 8. Mobile routemonitoring unit according to claim 1, wherein the stored route data canbe changed at any time.
 9. Route monitoring system, comprising: a mobileroute monitoring unit comprising: a data memory configured to storeroute data with tolerance data; a position sensor configured to indicatea position of the mobile route-monitoring unit; a processor configuredto indicate possible route deviations between a route defined by theroute data and a current position of the route monitoring unit; and atransmitter, which in an event of a route deviation, is configured tosend a message to a control unit; wherein the route data represents theroute in a form of coordinates and assigned route vectors, and thetolerance data exists as authorized deviation values in a verticaldirection of a next route vector, whereby a length of the route vectorsand the authorized deviation values for all route vectors can beselected depending on the route and can be adjusted to the route;wherein the route monitoring system comprises a device to process theroute data.
 10. Route monitoring system comprising: a mobileroute-monitoring unit comprising: a data memory configured to storeroute data with tolerance data; a position sensor configured to indicatea position of the mobile route-monitoring unit; a processor configuredto indicate possible route deviations between a route defined by theroute data and a current position of the route monitoring unit; and atransmitter, which in an event of a route deviation, is configured tosend a message to a control unit; wherein the route data represents theroute in a form of coordinates and assigned route vectors, and thetolerance data exists as authorized deviation values in a verticaldirection of a next route vector, whereby a length of the route vectorsand the authorized deviation values for all route vectors can beselected depending on the route and can be adjusted to the route;wherein the route monitoring system comprises a receiver assigned to thetransmitter.